German Chocolate Pie

Growing up, my Memaw always made two pies for the holidays: Pecan Pie and some kind of chocolate pie with nuts and coconut blended together.  The chocolate pie was my favorite!  When she passed away nine years ago, she took the recipe with her.  No one in our family has it or knows what it was called.  I haven't eaten it in 10 years and that's just not right. 

When I think back real hard, it seems she had the pie baked before I could watch her make it.  Of course, I never had the sense to watch how she made everything.  I can only remember watching it cool on a rickety card table decorated with a festive tablecloth.  I remember the deep chocolate flavor, the chopped pecan and shredded coconut swimming through it's thick pudding texture.  I remember the flaky pie crust.  Yummmm…

I've come across this recipe that sounds like it could be it.  I just don't know.  I'm going to bake it, taste it, photograph it and let you know if it's the one.

HERE'S WHAT I  NEED TO DO

• 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 12-ounce can evaporated milk
• 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 2/3 cup flaked coconut
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine chocolate, sugar, butter, and milk in a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring often, until mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from heat; gradually pour a small amount into egg yolks, stirring constantly.
Return mixture to pan quickly; stir.  Add coconut, walnuts, and vanilla; stir. Pour into pie crust.  Sprinkle top with a little coconut, if desired.
Bake 50 min.-1 hour. Cool before cutting.

Have you ever eaten this pie recipe?  Do you know the kind of pie I've described?  Do you have a better recipe? I'm out to find that chocolate pie recipe and reclaim my favorite holiday pie!